Son of former Atlanta Falcons star commits to UGA

UGA added another decorated prospect at its biggest position of need when Van Jefferson committed to the Bulldogs on Monday.

The 4-star wide receiver from Brentwood, Tenn., picked UGA over Ohio State and Tennessee.

Van Jefferson (247sports)

The 6-foot-2, 172-pound Jefferson is commit No. 21 for UGA’s 2015 class — and at least the fifth at the critical position of wide receiver.

Jefferson is the son of Shawn Jefferson, the former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver who played 12 seasons in the NFL. Jefferson was an assistant on last year’s Tennessee Titans staff with UGA defensive line coach Tracy Rocker.

How did UGA seemingly come out of nowhere to catch and pass Ohio State and Tennessee for Jefferson within the last few weeks? Recruiting is all about the relationships.

“The connection there is Tracy Rocker, who coached with the Titans and is familiar with his dad,” 247sports.com’s Rusty Mansell said. “From my understanding, there’s a lot of trust in the offense that Georgia runs and trust that they’re going to have a good quarterback in the future, no matter which one it is.

“They just felt like it an offense and academic situation that they wanted their son to be in. Tracy Rocker and Mike Bobo were able to turn it in Georgia’s favor in the last few weeks.”

How good is Van Jefferson? He’s rated as the No. 5 overall prospect out of Tennessee, along with the nation’s No. 17 wide receiver, per the 247sports.com composite rankings.

Recruiting hasn’t been a problem so far for NFL-turned-UGA assistant Tracy Rocker (AJC)

“It’s almost just like the situation with Jayson Stanley when you look at it,” Mansell said. “He’s another 6-foot-2 kid who’s bigger and faster – and definitely fits the mold of what Georgia is looking for. He has been good everywhere he has been.

“Every camp he has been to, he has been named one of the top performers, no matter which service is covering the event. Obviously with the NFL pedigree from his dad, he’s going to be well coached. He needs to add some weight. He’s in the range of 174-175 pound range. At 6-2, he’ll be able to carry 195 pounds easy. He’s just another really, really good football player.”

With Jefferson’s commitment, UGA now has at least five commitments who project to play wide receiver in college, although that could change when they report. Why would Jefferson want to pick the Bulldogs since they already have so many WR commitments in the same class?

“Opportunity,” Mansell said. “When you look at the 2013 and 2014 classes (that Georgia signed at wide receivers), there’s definitely an opportunity to play. You take guys like Uriah May, who is no longer there, and Gilbert Johnson, who didn’t come (because of grades). You look at Jonathan Rumph, who is a senior and won’t be there next year. You look at guys like Rico Johnson, who has already been moved to defense.

“Georgia needs wide receivers and they need a bunch of them. These (2015 commits) are good prospects but they’re going to play quickly. There’s immediate opportunity there to play. Georgia has 5-6 wide receivers, but they need all of those guys.”

It’s too early to judge UGA’s class of WR signees from this past year, but the two previous classes (2012 and 2013) have been a disappointment so far. They haven’t been able to make much of an impact — despite a prime opportunity after season-ending injuries to both Mitchell and Bennett in 2013. The telltale sign was significant playing time for walk-ons Rhett McGowan and Kenneth Towns during last season’s pivotal moments.

UGA could also add another wide receiver in this year’s class – Greater Atlanta Christian’s Darius Slayton, who is rumored to be favoring Auburn and UGA.

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Nice get for UGA. In my opinion the receiver position at UGA has not been where it should have. This has kept them from taking that next step. After Green left their receivers could not get the separation needed. Murray could have been a lot better if he had better receivers after Green.

Notice how UGA is getting MANY more 4 and 5 stars instead of primarily 3 stars? The time is near to win it all. ALL that has been lacking is a defense to go with that offense most of the last few years. UGA has always been missing something, OL, running backs, defense, inexperienced QB's or a combination. Looks like things are FINALLY going to come together and all the pieces will be in place IF the defense is improved as we all hope. Its looking good and its about time. Like it or not to all you UGA haters and UGA fans who hate on their own team. UGA is FINALLY about to have ALL THE PIECES OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS. If Mason doesnt throw too many INT's or choke at the end of games....and the defense has a pass rush....it could start this year. Forget last year.....UGA was crippled. Who knows what would of happened without the injuries. doesnt matter. Just see the BETTER COLLECTIVE GROUPS OF RECRUITS COMING IN THE NEXT 2 YEARS.....

Were I a receiver with hopes of playing at the next level I would put UGA over any other SEC school. With a former QB at HC and OC, along with an expected elite QB throwing me the ball and complimented with an elite stable of RB's. that's the smart choice.

@ruffdawg This is the first time in many years I think all the players are showing respect for their Coaches. The Coaches are not playing around , they are serious and the players know it. Pruitt has made a huge difference and I hope Richt can see the difference and realize why there was so much criticism from the fans who witnessed first hand the difference in discipline and the Respect players had for their Coaches when Erk Russell was at Georgia.

The Georgia some of us grew up with were, respectful, humble and disciplined. They made us all proud to be Georgia fans. In the last 10 years sometime I am so embarrassed it's like I am watching another team.

@96JB Yep. UT is in a numbers crunch. In another year, Butch would have been all over Van. He's a great prospect, and should do well at UGA. TN would have liked to have him. But, with few slots to give this year -- and with already having the #1 WR in the entire country on board in Preston Williams of Lovejoy -- Van was not a priority this year. Too bad for TN, but that's the situation. Hopefully, Van will do well.

@akil many coaches do not have youre so called "killer instinct" and have won it all in college and pro. How many names you need? Here is 2 off the top of my head Landry, Dungi. Stop putting coaches in a box you think they MUST be in. Mark RICHT has the BEST winning percentage of ALL UGA coaches before him and Nobody won more than 1 national championship. WHen Richt wins his and he WILL,,,what are you going to say when he is all of a sudden the BEST COACH IN UGA HISTORY. THE FIRST PUBLIC COLLEGE IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. THATS A LOT OF COACHES OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. RICHT WILL WIN HIS AND THE STADIUM RIGHTLY SO WILL BE NAMED AFTER HIM. AND ALL OF YOU HATERS WILL BE PROVED WRONG. YOU WILL. AND SOON.

put a binky in it loser. Your comment is noted and dismissed in that order. Name one team who wouldn't love to be able to score 40 points, most games. We're blessed, you're sore. Grab a pamparin, and don't forget your "Summer's Eve"...

@Columbus68@akil I'm not a "hater," but I stopped thinking like you about the end of '08, when a team loaded with stars lost 3 games, a couple embarrassingly so. This year's UGA team is, once again, loaded with talent and will win some big games, But you should know by now, at some point, we will lose one or two games to less talented teams (Clemson and UF?), and be ill-prepared in a tough road game or two (SC and Mizzou?), and another year of high hopes will fizzle out.

@dawginbama This kid isn't even in the top 20 WRs on Rivals or Scout but he is the most college ready receiver in the country? It doesn't make a lick of sense but the guy who said it has a financial incentive to say it.

@KeepOnSmilingWetWillie, How do you get respect, from what others have accomplished? You are stupid to even think that, you only get merit, from your on accomplishments, tell me sport how many of those trophies have you helped Bama win? I don't mean sitting in the stands, and cheering either, sport. If you want respect, give respect, sport, otherwise, don't come on here expecting someone to respect you, sport, because Bama has won more trophies, than everybody else, all I see is a Wannabe sport!

I hate to ruin your day, but 247 which is a composite of the major recruiting services (including Rivals and Scout) has him ranked #9. Sorry pal, looks like many more losses to the Dawgs in the future for your bumblebees!!!

@GTBob@dawginbama Why do you care what some for profit recruiting service says? He is a Dawg and we are proud to have him. I don't understand the negative responses you guys make about a team you have no interest in. If just once you could be objective it would carry more weight. Otherwise it is just blabber.

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